-- [ From: John P. Burke * EMC.Ver #2.10P ] --
 
A couple of comments about the July 22 Information Week  "story" on
IBM's mailing to HP3000 customers.
 
First, we have Harry Sterling quoted for the umpteenth time in the
second to the last paragraph: "We will offer 64-bit processing when our
customers need it," says Sterling. "Right now, very few do."
 
Bzzzzzz. Wrong answer. Makes you want to give him a dope slap. The
correct answer, which says the same thing in a fashion less likely to
send people off cliffs: "We have the offering of 64-bit processing
under
active consideration now so that we will be ready when our customer's
need it."
 
"under active consideration" does not commit HP to anything (which
seems
to be its desire). But at least it suggests HP's CSY is proactive and
not strictly reactive. If I had one wish that could be fulfilled, it
would be to change CSY's thrust from reactive to proactive. Sure they
will make a costly mistake or two by supporting something that does not
pan out. But the potential for gain is so much greater. CSY has taken
the customer-focused bit too far. Waiting to do something until some
critical mass of customers demands it means missed opportunities.
 
As someone pointed out, the HP3000 can't match the AS-400's list of
applications in sheer numbers. We all know, however, that there are
many
good applications and development tools available for the 3K. Quality,
not quantity should be the issue.
 
Second, we have the last paragraph of the article, immediately
following
Harry's quote above: "Still, the company acknowledges that it wants
HP3000 customers to supplement their computing environment with HP-UX
or
even Windows NT platforms as needed for NEW APPLICATIONS." [emphasis
mine] Oh? So who are these nameless representatives of the company? We
should ask them to stand up and be identified at HPWorld.
 
The article could have been written by IBM's marketing department -
that's how fair and unbiased it is.
 
More and more, the jokes about selling sushi as cold, dead fish are
losing their appeal. CSY and its predecessors are the worst marketers
on
the planet. It is nothing short of a miracle, and speaks volumes about
the HP3000 and those who use it, that the HP3000 still exists in the
numbers it does. It will be interesting to see how, or if, CSY responds
in any meaningful fashion to this IBM mailing.
 
I agree wholeheartedly and would like to associate myself with Joe
Geiser's comments on this article. They deserve to be repeated both
here
and at the Management Roundtable - only wish I could be there this year
to hear the "response".
 
Joe Geiser said:
 
> So please don't get me wrong...my intention is to bring to light,
> the words that are being attributed to the executives within HP.
> We, the people who have invested money, hours of training,
> and years of our lives working with the 3000, need to know if
> all of that is going up in smoke over the next five to ten years,
> or if HP will continue to support the most stable box it has for
> business applications, and one of the most stable in the
> marketplace today - or are we to start brushing up on UNIX
> and re-educate ourselves, and start re-evaluating our long-
> range plans for hardware.
 
> From a management perspective, as well as a technical pro-
> fessional, this is getting a little scary - but I'm willing to wait
> until the Management Roundtable at HPWorld, and hear for
> myself, what HP is doing.  I would expect, since HP does
> monitor this list, that HP will have concrete answers that we
> can "hang our hat on".  All I personally want, is for HP to
> be honest and open with us - what are the plans for the
> 3000?  Straight and honest answers (which is supposed to
> be "the HP Way", right?)
 
When I see my career opportunities limited by a short-sightedness that
I
have no control over, my blood pressure starts climbing and the venom
starts flowing.
 
John Burke
CCC
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